Most of their Amontillado soleras have remained practically untouched since La Guita rearranged its stocks in 1980 and moved most to the cellars on the road to Jerez. Among them, one solera labeled Manzanilla Pasada Vieja 1/10 (i.e. containing ten butts) holds the most balanced and elegant wine, so it was this solera that provided the four butts used for La Bota de Amontillado n°31 by Equipo Navazos. Four butts yielded 900 liters or just over 1700 bottles (50 cl).

This is an Amontillado defined by an intense Sanlúcar character — though perhaps not as acutely saline as some other Amontillados previously bottled in the “La Bota de…” series.

The label mentions Bota NO which means the barrels were taken out of the regular refreshment scheme of the solera. These kind of barrels are highlighted for their exceptional quality or distinctive character. Topping them with new wine could take away its personality. Since they are not refreshed, the average age of the wines inside the barrel will increase rapidly, creating more intense wines.

In August 2012 a dozen of other Amontillado casks from the same Bodega were selected for La Bota de Amontillado n°37.

La Bota de Amontillado n°31 (20%, Equipo Navazos 2011, 50 cl)

Nose: fragrant nose with brown candy sugar, baked banana and maple syrup up front. Fresh figs and toffee. Also beautiful notes of polished oak and a little turpentine / iodine, I love that. Leather and tobacco. Evolves on herbs (rosemary bread), olives, roasted nuts and blood oranges. Indeed the coastal notes are in the background here, but there are chamomile notes and chalky notes that give away its origins. Hints of ponzu sauce. Just great, very smooth and complex.

Mouth: very good grip. Dry and rich with nutty aromas as well as a powerful, refreshing acidity (ponzu again). Some roasted notes, and more saline notes as well. Fading on cashew nuts. Very long finish with an excellent sour edge.

Availability: still available in some stores, e.g. La Maison du Whisky in France. Around € 50.

La Bota de Amontillado n°31 (Equipo Navazos)Ruben Luyten

Summary: A marvellous wine with a unique nose and a crisp, harmonious palate. Excellent with food or on its own. Quite possibly the best Amontillado I've had and a perfect example for the quality of Equipo Navazos.

5

Just perfect

About the Author

Ruben Luyten Fell in love with sherry more than ten years ago, but recently switched to a higher gear and started writing about it. Lived in Madrid for a couple of years, now back in Belgium. I also run a whisky blog over at www.whiskynotes.be

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SherryNotes is my personal collection of sherry wine impressions, written while searching for the ultimate Manzanilla, Fino, Palo Cortado, Amontillado, Oloroso or Pedro Ximénez.
I also run a whisky blog over at www.whiskynotes.be